Locations Of Historic Milstones – Age Old Distance Markers in Mumbai

“Figuring out finally the Locations of Grade 1 heritage milestones of Mumbai. About 3 to 4 feet heighten from ground, this basalt stone structure marked the distance (in MILES) that helped Britishers know how far they travelling from South Mumbai St. Thomas Cathedral (Formerly Church) at fort, Horniman circle, which was marked as ‘Zero Mile’. Let’s understand some more details about this old style historic distance markers..”

Milestones Distance Markers

The Grade 1 Heritage, Historic Distance Markers

Early in 19th Century, when it was not easy to navigate and calculate distance like the ready interacting Maps of Google today, The exploring minds of humans used the distance markers to keep track of the travel locations in Mumbai.

Around 15 to 16 such Milestones were put up by Britishers in city that helped them while riding a cart, horse and other means of commuting.

Between 1816 and 1837 (About 200 years now) most of these milestones were kept on the pathway and were prominently seen as they were installed about 3 to 4 feet above ground.

Every basalt stone has a clear and big Roman numeral scribbled, like “V Miles From St. Thomas Church”.

St. Thomas Church (Now Cathedral) which is located in Fort area of Mumbai (South) was marked as ‘Zero Miles’ and one of the some longest distance milestone was at 8 to 9 miles at Sion and Byculla area. Below references in KM, just for our understanding. 1 Mile equals 1.60934 Km.

Some Fast Facts of these Milestones

15 to 16 of such basalt stone made structures were installed in early 19th Century, Of which 11 have been successfully tracked down. With development this rare monuments were been ignored, buried and lost their significance due to road widening, encroachment and other developments.

As of now, Track down and restoration project is going on which will beautify, secure these milestones from further damage and encroachments and will be at prominent public visibility soon.

The project is also going to link all this stones digitally with a newly made stone that will be places somewhere behind St. Thomas Cathedral marked as ‘Zero Mile Pointer’ which will detail locations and distance of other restored heritage milestones of Mumbai city.

Citizens of Mumbai played a prominent role in pointing out the lost world of these direction stones and upon media interference and awareness, BMC heritage cell took up the task to find all of them to further secure these edifice and showcase.

Milestones Locations in Mumbai

After going through all the online and news materials related to locations of these milestones, Below is what i have found. There may be some difference or incorrect which may soon be rectified once the project completes and final data is out.

According to latest updates, 4 of these stones need to be tracked down and are missing (See below). If not found, Those remaining will be created and will have similar representative like the originals and will be places at the expected location it should be and will be linked digitally for future reference.

Below are the locations where best to my knowledge and references online.

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My love towards Mumbai city took me to passion blogging from hobby. Upon quitting job, now i am one of the online city & travel guide since 2007. Hope my efforts helps citizen, foreign nationals & tourists in some or other ways.